Are your business practices up to scratch?

Ensure that you are complying with government, state and local regulations as well as those of the Department of Fair Trading in your state or territory.

• Stay informed. Read and understand your local council regulations regarding holiday accommodation in your local area, to ensure you comply on all fronts.

• Register. Your business is a business. Ensure you have a registered business name, an ABN (GST if required) and have applied for appropriate business licensing for your operation.

• Honesty is the best policy. Be honest about what your accommodation provides and includes. Self rating your property is not allowed, only AAA Tourism rated operations may claim STARS rating. If you claim other certification, including business name, you should display these certificates in a prominent position.

• Adequately Insure. Check your public liability and other insurances for your holiday property to ensure they are appropriate for the number of guests that you accommodate.

• Stay safe. Check your fire safety, extinguishers, alarms, fire blankets and fire hoses and have them stamped by the appropriate certifying authority. Does your property have adequate fire and safety measures, including an evacuation plan.

• Policies and procedures. You should have a cancellation policy and communicate this up front to your guests to avoid confusion. You should have a clear set of booking, payment, check in and check out policies so that the property is suitably prepared for your guests.

Your state Tourism Council may also be able to assist. For a thorough review of your business practices, you should participate in the National Tourism Accreditation Program and/or Tourism Awards Programs available through your Tourism Council.

The National Tourism Accreditation Program (NTAP) is a nationally constituted Quality Assurance program that facilitates the development of quality tourism product and the delivery of quality experiences to visitors and tourists by focusing on issues such as business development, adherence to standards including health and safety and customer service.

NSW and the ACT
ACT Tourism Industry Council
http://www.ticact.org.au/National%20Tourism%20Accreditation.htm

South Australian Tourism Accreditation Board
http://www.tourismaccreditation.com.au/

Northern Territory Tourism Accreditation Program
http://www.accreditnt.com.au

Queensland Tourism Industry Council
Queensland does not have a current accreditation program in place, but they are working toward a national program. If you are interested in tourism accreditation for Queensland, please contact Kym Stephenson of TQIC at kym.stephenson@qtic.com.au.

Tourism Accreditation Board of Victoria
http://www.tourismaccreditationvic.com.au/faq1b.htm

National Tourism Accreditation Program WA
http://www.tourismcouncilwa.com.au/accredcon.asp

Tourism Council Tasmania
http://www.tctas.com.au/accreditation.html